Chapter 231 - 130: Trait: Eyes Open, Day Breaks, Divine Heir Candidate

BOOM!

CRACK—! CRACK—!

Having absorbed enough Solar Power, the Candlelight Heart Eye bloomed within Zhong Ming’s body like a small sun, radiating a magnificent yet gentle brilliance.

The Dao Rhyme - Flow of Water carried this dawn light, transforming into layers of ripples that followed the meridians and muscles of Zhong Ming’s body, slowly seeping deep into his sinews and bones.

His body was repeatedly scoured and tempered by the Solar Power. At times, the Purifying Flame would even ignite on his bones, burning away hidden impurities. Through this extreme refinement, Zhong Ming’s sinews and bones gradually shed their mortal luster, becoming as smooth and lustrous as pristine white jade. Fine, dense golden patterns, like naturally formed Dao markings, were interwoven across their surface.

With the initial formation of his Golden Flesh and Jade Bone, Zhong Ming’s physical body gradually became pure and flawless.

As his cells absorbed the Solar Power, a tremendous force filled his entire being. He felt an exhilarating sensation, as if he could sweep away everything with his physical strength alone.

’My body is getting stronger... No, it’s more than just getting stronger. This is an ascension. My physical body is gradually becoming perfect.’

’This perfection isn’t just about increased strength and defense. The lifespan and vitality of my body have increased as well.’

This all-around enhancement filled Zhong Ming’s heart with a sense of satisfaction.

At the same time, his powerful physical form also completed his Dao Seed, causing it to become more substantial. On his attribute panel, this was reflected in its progress crossing the critical 50% mark.

WMM...

The moment the Dao Seed advanced, a brand-new power began to quietly gestate within Zhong Ming’s body, slowly taking shape.

[Eyes Open, It Is Day]

The five-word Dao Rhyme surfaced in his sea of consciousness, allowing Zhong Ming to understand its properties.

As the name suggested, it was a powerful Talent that could make the long night break, turning darkness into daylight.

However, after a moment of sensing it, he sighed. He realized that because he was not a complete Candle Dragon, but rather an unhatched whelp, his [Eyes Open, It Is Day] was not a Divine Technique on the level of a universal law, but rather a Magic Technique.

And since it was a Magic Technique, it required an energy source.

The principle behind Zhong Ming’s use of this ability was to consume the Solar Power stored in his body’s cells and Star Acupoints, turning himself into a small sun.

’The larger the Shadow I want to dispel, the more power I’ll consume. The upside is that the brilliant sun I transform into can be imbued with my own attributes, like the Breaking Evil Golden Light or the Purifying Flame.’

’Furthermore, after activating [Eyes Open, It Is Day] to transform into the Great Sun, I myself become the Sun. This perfectly aligns with the Dao Rhyme of "Heaven and Earth, Only I am Supreme (Sun)". At that moment, I will possess a truly unique, blazing sun-body!’

’Because of this, I can gain the triple blessing of the Sun’s mighty power even at night, on a rainy day, or even if I’m sealed away in a pocket dimension.’

’The only thing is, I’ll have to bear the cost myself... If I go all out, it will last for seven seconds. Nine seconds at the absolute most!’

’A nine-second sun. That’s enough.’

A nine-second man—that was the limit of Zhong Ming’s explosive power.

But he quickly put the matter out of his mind.

The Power of Origin from the Demon Star Tai Sui was still affecting his physical body. His cells were like ravenous great sharks, crazily devouring the energy, and some of them would even mutate from time to time.

This forced Zhong Ming to constantly monitor himself, periodically releasing the Breaking Evil Golden Light and Purifying Flame to purify, suppress, and even incinerate some of his own body tissues.

Time slowly passed as Zhong Ming cultivated. As he consumed one Red Flame Golden Pattern Pill after another, his physical body grew stronger and stronger.

During this process, Zhong Ming had even consumed three wisps of the Demon Star Tai Sui’s Power of Origin.

’Fortunately, I’m no longer short on this kind of resource...’

The Qinghe Commandery Mansion was known for its immense wealth; otherwise, opening its Treasure Vault would not have attracted so many Major Sects.

And with her rise in status, Ji Qingyue could now command even more resources. With her support, Zhong Ming no longer lacked for ordinary resources.

Just like that, by consuming resources without regard for cost, Zhong Ming opened as many as 49 Star Acupoints in a single night.

Added to the 36 in his skin and flesh, that made for a total of 85.

’I’m only 23 Star Acupoints away from the 108 needed to form a Divine Monarch Dharma Aspect.’

...

While Zhong Ming was engrossed in his cultivation, Ji Qingyue was incredibly busy.

She had to register information on those who came to pledge allegiance, organize them into teams for training, deliberate on how to allocate personnel, and negotiate cooperation with the small and medium-sized families and merchant caravans of Qinghe County.

With her status having soared, she had gained the allegiance of more than just Cultivators. Many small families, sects, and merchant guilds had also found their way to her door by any means necessary, eager to pledge their loyalty.

Although she hadn’t forgotten about Zhong Ming amidst her busy schedule, while he was cultivating, her primary focus remained on her work.

And this made Ji Qinglian’s eyes light up; she felt that she had found her chance.

She didn’t disturb Zhong Ming’s cultivation. Instead, she started building a rapport with Yi Yunya, Xie Yushuang, Xue Yao, and the others who were taking care of his daily needs.

’My sister is too rigid, and her mindset is all wrong. She still treats Zhong Ming as a respected figure, a comrade-in-arms... This is my chance!’

Zhong Ming’s power, combined with Ji Qingyue’s gentle elegance, allowed Ji Qinglian to see a hope of controlling her own destiny.

What she and Zhong Ming didn’t know, however, was that his arrival had caused a stir in the true darkness of the Qinghe Commandery Mansion.

...

「Prince Qinghe’s Mansion」

Deep within the courtyard belonging to Luo Qinzhu, the mother of Third Son Ji Qinghui, a reception was underway. Dressed in a black palace gown, Luo Qinzhu was hosting a group of special guests: members of her maiden family, the Luo Family.